Energy and Environment

"Estuaries are often overlooked and undervalued, but they are a key tool in our work to solve the climate crisis," U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici stated in a press release. "As co-chair of the Congressional Estuary Caucus, I was pleased to help lead the effort to support and safeguard our National Estuary Programs with the Protect and Restore America's Estuaries Act, and I am committed to securing additional resources to protect our precious coastal ecosystems.

The new measure would go further than the 2019 proposal (House Concurrent Resolution 52), which was cosponsored by 102 members, including Oregon Democrats Suzanne Bonamici and Peter DeFazio. The 2019 resolution never advanced beyond the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

By Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-ORE.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-VA.)

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, of Oregon's 1st congressional district, also tweeted praise:

We must #ActOnClimate, and today's Executive Orders demonstrate the Biden-Harris Admin's commitment to #SolvingTheClimateCrisis

Environmentalists and state and local governments have already taken the EPA to court over the final rule in two separate lawsuits, broadly on procedural grounds. Biden is set to issue a memo today mandating evidence-based decision-making in federal agencies, but because the Trump policy shift came out as a final rule, the Biden administration would have to undertake another rulemaking to strike it from the books. The letter was led by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), and includes Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.).

"The final rule essentially blocks access to the best available science, which could jeopardize the health and livelihood of every person in this country and disproportionately burden Black, Indigenous, and communities of color who are often still waiting for the EPA to fulfill its promise of clean air and clean water," the lawmakers wrote. The letter was signed by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). Tonko chairs the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. Beyer co-chairs the Safe Climate Caucus.